Benefits of Using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) for Recruiting

The high rate of unemployment triggered by a slow global economy has led to a situation where recruiters often have to filter through hundreds of job applications and résumés, finding only a few qualified applicants. However, you can make the recruiting process simpler and more efficient by implementing an applicant tracking system (ATS) to identify and employ the best candidate. If you invest in an ATS, it can offer you a number of key benefits.

Are you considering using an ATS for your recruiting? Here are some of the top reasons why you should.

Why Use An ATS?

You might be asking yourself, “why should I be using an applicant tracking system for my hiring?” We have these online tools at our disposal for a reason – to make our lives easier and make tasks and processes more efficient. An ATS will do precisely this for any recruiting manager, which is a great help when you truly value time and need to recruit the best talent in the most efficient manner.

Ease the Recruiter’s Workload

Using an ATS allows you to automate the recruiting process. This helps you identify suitable applicants and lower the time it takes to hire an applicant. Different aspects such as online job posting, resume screening, and interview scheduling can reduce the amount of manual work and activities associated with finding an ideal candidate. This allows you to allocate more time to a number of other hiring efforts.

Make the Most of Social Media

An ATS can keep an eye on social media activity, automate social sharing and manage email templates effectively. This can enable a hiring or personnel manager to swiftly identify prospective candidates who are likely to be a good match for any open position in the company. Another great aspect of this system is that it can achieve these goals in real-time, allowing a personnel manager instantaneous access to a thorough and comprehensive view of the potential talent.

Applicants are More Engaged

With the advancement in technology, applicants are getting pickier. Recent research indicates that up to forty percent of applicants tend to abandon their applications halfway through, if companies fail to optimize the hiring process for mobile platforms. This is where applicant tracking systems come in handy. Since they are mobile-friendly, you are likely to enjoy a higher follow-up rate.

Better Candidate Experience

Speaking of picky candidates; if they do not get frequent updates regarding the status of their applications, it is likely that they will lose interest. This is the case for about one-third of all applicants, according to studies. Keeping track of and responding to a huge number of resumes is difficult for personnel departments; however, applicant tracking systems can automate both responses and social job postings, and as a result, you have one less thing to worry about.

Reduce Compliance Concerns

As an applicant tracking system assists with satisfying various diversity objectives and automates the hiring process to make it more compliant, the technology tends to work in your favor and protects your company from governmental lawsuits and inspections. If in the worst case scenario an audit or litigation comes up, your ATS can swiftly furnish you with all the relevant information you require to handle it.

Match Applicants to Jobs

There are times when an applicant tracking system can be helpful for matching applicants to jobs. For instance, if you turned down an applicant for a certain role, because their resume failed to fit the job criteria or requirements, the ATS will retain the candidate’s resume on file and will flag any positive match it has to any future job opening. The human resource department can then simply get in touch with the applicant and inquire if they are interested in a different position with the organization.

Improves Employee Retention

Application tracking systems help you identify an appropriate match much quicker and that does not only save money and time. The system boosts employee retention as a better matching candidate is likely to stay with you for a long time which is beneficial for both employer and employee. This can help lower employee turnover and help you better develop your employment brand.

With these benefits of using an applicant tracking system in mind, it is a smart idea to invest in an ATS in order to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape.

Related Articles

Welcome back to our series on exactly what recruiters want and need in recruiting software. In our last post, we explored several themes that really make an ATS valuable for busy recruiters. In this post, we continue with more key features and benefits of an ATS that...

Recruiting is one of the most demanding roles available in today’s fast-paced job market. So many industries have a major need for talented candidates. This means recruiters must work overtime to connect quality candidates with their dream jobs. There are many...

We’re back for Part 2, sharing our top 10 strategies for gaining an edge in today’s battleground for the best talent. Check out part 1 here. In our last post, we covered how recruiting software can strengthen your employer brand by improving the candidate experience...